Feature Article
continued from page 17 . . .
Upon graduation, I accepted an opportunity to
become a member of the Alumni Association
Board of Directors. I love being a member of this
board as we work hard to full our mission “to
be competent, purposeful and ethical in energizing alumni, students, faculty and staff to foster
a sense of community and an environment of
giving back through time, talent and treasure.”
When I was told I had been selected to receive
the Recent Graduate Award, I was shocked.
Then, as I sat on the stage during the ceremony
with Trudy, Gregg, Allan, and Jamie, I began to
realize the significance of this award. The thing
I was most proud of during the awards ceremony
was that every one of us stated or alluded to
the fact that, “This is just what I do”.
Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 5: 14-16, “Ye are
the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill
cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle
and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick,
and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in Heaven.”
Gertrude M. McSorley ’70—Saint Dominic Award Winner: The Saint Dominic Award recognizes an alumna or alumnus for commitment to Christian
education in family, school or community. Named for the 12th century Spanish nobleman who founded the Dominican order, the award honors persons
who embody the Dominican philosophy and the spirit of Siena, and who promote pride in Christian ethics and education.
In the words of author George Bernard Shaw,
“Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as
possible before handing it on to future generations.” God has blessed me with gifts and talents
that are not to be wasted, and I want to spend
my life using them so that nothing is wasted.
To God be the glory!! u
is IT or not, I’ll share part of my passion. Recently, at an Adrian High School ceremony honoring Julianne Dolan ’76, my good friend and one
of our esteemed alums, Julie said, “Live your passion.” I do believe those of us in the arts, and in
education, have that very opportunity. When we
are blessed to spend most of our life living our
art through education, it is a double blessing—
an opportunity to live our passion.
Gertrude M. McSorley ’70
So when I was asked to move from my passion
in theatre (child drama/children’s theatre) to
administration as Dean for Students, I asked
myself, “So, what do you do about your passion?”
The answer: it really didn’t change. I was still
about students and with students and hopefully
continuing my role in some way as educator. I
also often say that I still do theater—but every
fifteen minutes, it’s a different scene!
Saint Dominic Award Winner
When I first learned of this award I was truly
stunned and very humbled. It is especially significant to me because it is the St. Dominic award—
named for the founder of the Order of Preachers
of which our Adrian Dominican Sisters are a
part. Coincidentally, my dear friend and colleague, the late Sr. Therese Craig ’48, received
this honor in 1987…so here’s to you, Therese.
While I was thinking about this day and what
I really wanted to say, a friend said, “Think about
this as your last lecture.” So, not knowing if this
18
Reflections Winter ’11
Now, the real theme for my “lesson plan” today
is the Mission! How do we as a community live,
exemplify, and share our Mission as an institution and individually? How do our alumni carry
that Mission forward? How is the world we are
all in a little different because of the Mission
of Sien